The Langley Rivermen continued their 6 game road trip this weekend, heading to Alberta for the second time their history.
Langley visited Okotoks to start the trip on Friday, after traveling the day before to the Prairies. The Rivermen were gifted an early power play with a few minutes gone on the clock, and Christian Chouha was able to one time a great pass from Zach Benayon into the Oilers net for a 1-0 Rivermen lead with 4:42 gone in the first and Chouha’s 10th of the season.
Langley would keep that lead to the end of the first period, despite the Oilers outshooting them. Much like the first period Okotoks would continue the offensive pressure and take the game to Langley, acquiring three power plays and 19 shots in the middle frame but Dylan Johnson was able to turn them all aside and keep it 1-0 Langley after 40.
Early in the third, Aaron Reierson would rip home a puck from the right wing side, capping off a great three way passing play between him, Benayon, and Sam Allaby, doubling Langley’s lead with 1:37 gone in the third.
With the Oilers applying the pressure, they were finally able to get a goal back on a tipped shot from the point to make it 2-1 Langley with 11 minutes to go on in the third.
Dylan Johnson would make some phenomenal saves to keep Okotoks at bay, and Chouha would ice the game with his second of the game into the empty net to ensure Langley would walk away with a 3-1 win.
Langley would travel to Brooks on Saturday to take on the Bandits for the first and only time this season, with both team’s trading chances in the early going.
The Bandits went to the powerplay with a few minutes remaining in the first, and were able to snipe one home from the left circle making it 1-0 Brooks with four and a half minutes remaining in the opening frame.
Halfway through the second period, the visitors were able to tie it on a rebound in front of the Brooks net off the stick of Sam Allaby, his third of the season.
7 minutes later, Parker Forlin would also scored on a rebound to give Langley a 2-1 lead late on in the second period.
1:55 after Forlin’s goal, Aaron Reierson would score his league leading 23rd goal on a great shot from the left wing side, also a shorthanded goal gifting Langley a 3-1 lead heading to the third period.
Langley would play great defensive hockey in the early going of the third, but conceded a power play and Brooks scored on a point shut to cut the lead to 3-2 in Langley’s favour.
20 seconds later, Liam Fitzpatrick would wire home the equalizer from the right wing side, tying it at 3-3 and sending it to overtime.
Both team’s would have golden opportunities early in overtime, but it was Langley’s captain Darius Bachler who scored the overtime winner with 4:09 gone on the clock, his 5th of the year. This was the Rivermen’s fourth consecutive win, all on the road, and 11th road win which leads the BCHL.
Langley complete the 6 game road trip on Friday in Chilliwack, before returning home on Saturday to take on Prince George, and Sunday hosting the Chilliwack Chiefs.
